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Southern Tier Horseshoe Club

Johnson City, New York

 

Originally Lestershire, (Johnson City) was renamed in 1917 in honor of the owners of the Endicott Johnson Shoe Corporation.  At one time they employed over Twenty Four Thousand employees and during WW-1 and WW-2 they produced almost all of the shoes used by the armed services.

 

The Johnson’s believed in giving their workers free essential services and provided health and dental care, libraries, recreational facilities, and parks that included huge swimming pools.  There was a fine 18 hole golf course, and two bowling alleys.  All parks had Merry Go Rounds (carousals).  Today there are still six, each has recently been restored and all are operational, rides are still free as Johnson had originally ordered..

A large pavilion was built for special events, where both young couples and old, danced to the music of bands like Glenn Miller, Harry James, and Benny Goodman.

 

Many E. J. factories in Binghamton, Johnson City and Endicott had a horseshoe court next to the building, where the men pitched during lunch hour.  Charles F. Johnson noticed these makeshift courts and learned that horseshoes were very popular with the workers.  He instructed his maintenance crew to build six regulation courts on the grounds of "Your Home Library" in Johnson City and soon a club was formed.  At some point the club became sanctioned and two State Tournaments were held there.  In 1957 Carl Steinfeldt won with a ringer percentage of 76.5 and in 1958 he won with a 76.1.

 

Eventually the shoe company came on hard times and was sold to U.S. Industries.  Their management had better use planned for that prized real estate, and so the club would soon be history.  Players led by Frank Michalek (Mr. Horseshoe) approached Charlie Johnson and he offered them a site on a former farm once owned by the Green family.  These enterprising die-hard pitchers moved the courts, and in 1977 “The Southern Tier Horseshoe Club” members began pitching again.  Some of the founding members in addition to Frank were, John Kozik, George Lovell, Chuck Prusik, John Zelaska, just to name a few..

 

Two years later a youngster by the name of Charles Reigles became a member and because of his passion for the game and willingness to work on upkeep and improvements, he soon began to wear many hats, tournament director, manager, secretary and maintenance man.  Through the years there have been several presidents and each made significant contributions, but Charlie has always been the glue that keeps the club moving forward.

 

The courts at “Greens Field” have survived the last two floods.  After each they have been repaired, rebuilt, restored and each time major improvements have been made.  The original “youngster” is now getting on just a touch, but his son Charlie Jr. has stepped up and beautifully maintains the eight new courts.  Sand pits, full concrete runways with crushed stone in between and long sturdy benches donated by several members grace the grounds.  A covered deck has recently been added for shelter from the unpredictable Southern Tier weather.

 

The Southern Tiers indoor courts “The Pits” came about in 1993. Ed Barrett of Universal Fence Company was a club member and owned several large Morton storage buildings.  John Kozik, George Lovell, and Charlie Reigles, discovered Ed had installed a court in one building for his personal use.  They were invited to pitch there and soon a second court was installed.  It was not long, before the fencing supplies were out, and 12 beautiful courts were ready to go... Stan Hayes made and put up a large sign over the entrance to let people know where the courts were located, it read "THE PITS" and so the name remained. Unfortunately, the cost to operate such a large building in a prime area became greater than the members could afford and in 2001 it was closed.

 

Although the recent floods destroyed all the memorabilia and photos taken at “The Pits”, Charlie and Stan have donated many of their own, which are now on display at the clubhouse.  Thanks to them, anyone who ever pitched in a Southern Tier Tournament is likely to find their own picture, and recognize friends from long ago.

 

From May through August the doubles league meets on Monday, with singles league on Thursday.  Also, there is a sanction singles tournament planned for each year.  Dates are published on this web site.  We hope to see many of our friends from around N.Y. and Pa. at “Greens Field” this year and in the future..   jm

 

Greens Field courts location:

Rt. 17C Exit 70 North to Harry L Drive.  Turn right, pass Toys R Us and turn right at the Fire Station.  Turn right at the first gate, into the park to Southern Tier Horseshoe Club.

 

Officers:

 

President - Wes Searles

Vice President - Dennis Leonard

Treasurer - Stan Hayes

Secretary - Charles E. Reigles

 

 

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